SW3D's Bio
I've been collecting comics on-and-off since the late 70's. The majority of my raw/ungraded comics are Marvel and DC superhero titles from the Bronze and Copper Age (70's, 80's and 90's), with some Golden, Silver, and Modern Ages mixed-in.
If I could be a superhero, who would I be?: Superman
My favorite Comic Book Character: Swamp Thing
My favorite Cosmic Superhero: Tie: Adam Warlock and Silver Surfer.
My favorite Classic Superhero: Superman
My favorite Non-powered Superhero: Batman
My favorite Supernatural Character: Phantom Stranger
My favorite Confidence Man: John Constantine
My favorite Pulp Hero: The Shadow
My favorite hometown Superhero: Spider-Man (from Forest Hills, NY)
My favorite Indie Superhero: Nexus
My favorite Superheroine (based on looks): Tie: Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) and Marvel Girl/Phoenix (Jean Grey).
My favorite Superheroine (based on heroics/leadership): Tie: Storm and Wonder Woman
My favorite Super Team: Tie: Fantastic Four and X-Men
My favorite Cosmic Villain: Tie: Galactus and Thanos
My favorite Despot Villain: Doctor Doom
My favorite Supernatural Villain: Mephisto
My favorite Rogues Gallery: X-Men
My favorite fight between heroes: Daredevil vs. Hulk: Daredevil 163
My favorite Golden Age publisher: EC Comics
My favorite Silver Age Publisher: Marvel Comics
My favorite Bronze Age Publisher: DC
My favorite Copper Age Publisher: Marvel Comics
My favorite Modern Age Publisher: DC Comics
My favorite defunct Indie Publisher: Tie: Eclipse and First
My favorite Modern Indie Publisher: Tie Dark Horse and Image
My favorite Silver Age run: Fantastic Four Volume 1: 1 - 100, and Silver Surfer Volume 1: 1 - 16.
My favorite Bronze Age run: Tie: Swamp Thing Volume 1: 1 - 10; Warlock Volume 1: 9 - 16; DC's Shadow Volume 1: 1 - 12
My favorite Copper Age run: Tie: Uncanny X-Men 129 - 143; Daredevil: 168 - 200
My favorite Toy Tie-In: Tie: Micronauts and ROM Spaceknight
My favorite Event Maxi-Series: Tie: DC's Watchmen and Marvel's Civil War.
My favorite Mini-Series: Kingdom Come
My favorite Cross-Over: DC/Marvel Presents: Uncanny X-Men and Teen Titans
My favorite B&W Magazine: Tie: Savage Sword of Conan and Tales of the Zombie
My favorite Foreign Comic Book Magazine: Warrior
My favorite Adult Magazine: Epic
My favorite Anthology Magazine: Creepy
My favorite Graphic Novel: Watchmen
My favorite Foreign Superhero: Tie: Marvelman and Judge Dredd
My favorite comic book writer (living or dead):
Tie: Stan Lee and Alan Moore
My favorite comic book artist (living or dead):
Tie: Bernie Wrightson, Michael Kaluta, Neal Adams, John Bryne, Jim Starlin and Brian Bolland.
My favorite comic book cover artist (illustrator): Tie: Jack Kirby and Gil Kane
My favorite comic book cover artist (oil on canvas): Tie: Boris Vallejo and Earl Norem
Who I believe is the greatest comic book artist ever? (living or dead): Jack Kirby without a doubt!
My holy grails (list will grow without a doubt):
Fantastic Four 48
Fantastic Four 1
Fantastic Four 5
House of Secrets 92
Swamp Thing 1
Fantastic Four 66/67
Action Comics 1
Detective Comics 27
Tales of Suspense 39
X-Men 1
Showcase 22
Showcase 4
Journey Into Mystery 83
Daredevil 1
Giant Size X-Men 1
Incredible Hulk 181
Warrior Magazine 1
2000 AD Prog 2
Nexus Volume 1 (B&W Magazine)
Creepy 1
Anything EC
In the last few years, I've been focusing on acquiring CGC Graded vintage comics, in high grades (9.0 or better), from all ages, with a passion for keys (1st appearances, origin stories, death's, etc.), obscure, rare or low print runs and occassionally controversial comics.
Although I would like to build and complete sets, I find that I am attracted to single key issues, especially when the price is right.
However, after recently learning that the Collectors Society through CCS is condoning pressing, and the CGC is unwilling to recognize pressing as a restorative technique, I have taken a step-back from buying pre-graded comics I did not originally own, in favor of getting my own "restoration free" comics graded. I am purist when it comes to grading and am a supporter of pro-disclosure. For the benefit of the collecting community at large, I hope to one day see the CGC and the Collectors Society reconsider their position, and label pressed comics as restored. In my opinion, it is unfair to knowingly tamper with a comic book's condition by pressing away flaws such as bends, folds, creases, wrinkels and spine rolls to achieve a better grade. How can any organization offer a service designed to modify and improve the grade of a comic book, much less charge a premium for such a service, and not deem said service restoration?
Anyway...
If you decide to review my small but growing CGC collection (which includes images and descriptive details), you will notice multiple copies of various key issues mixed with my childhood collection.
Eventually, I will get most of my raw comics graded, but this will take some time, patience, and money.
I also enjoy posting journals about the comics and hobby I love. Feel free to read my journals and browse through my collection and contact me with comments, feedback, opinions, and friendly banter.
Happy Collecting!
SW3D